KBC CONTINUES SPONSORSHIP OF THE OHIO YOUNG BIRDERS CLUB (OYBC)
In January KBC hosted the first OYBC field trip of 2009 and KBC members volunteered throughout the year at OYBC events and programs. The Ohio Young Birders Club is for students, ages 12 to 18 and it was founded by Black Swamp Bird Observatory, Oak Harbor, Ohio.

THE CLEVELAND BIRD CALENDAR (CBC) ON-LINE
(As of 01/01/2010 we are 93% complete!)
Providing the CBC in an on-line searchable format through a KBC website has made the 100+ year collection of data available to any person anywhere in the world and in a more searchable-friendly format. To see our progress visit: www.clevelandbirdcalendar.com.

KBC AWARDS FIRST OHIO AVIAN PROJECT INITIATIVE (OAPI) GRANT
Entitled “Post-fledgling Ecology and Survivorship of Neotropical Migratory Birds Across an Urbanizing Landscape” the two-year study will produce exciting data for a Master’s Thesis that will also be submitted for publication. The study’s principal investigator notes that “studying the intersection of urban and post-fledging ecology is imperative in improving our understanding of how juvenile survivorship limits avian populations in a rapidly urbanizing world.” Ian Ausprey is a Graduate Research Associate at Ohio State University (the grant would be made to OSU’s tax-exempt, 501c3 Foundation). He notes that the Acadian Flycatcher is a species of concern and that the population has “shrunk by at least 50% within the Bird Conservation Region that includes the section of central Ohio that is being studied.” While much research has been conducted on Neotropical migratory bird populations, this novel study has two groundbreaking factors. First, it focuses on the poorly studied post-fledging stage which “is defined as the time period between fledging and migration when juveniles are limited in mobility and dependent upon parents for resource acquisition.” Second, unlike research that has been conducted in undeveloped areas, this study focuses on the urban habitats which obviously have an important impact on survival for Acadian Flycatchers as well as other eastern woodland species.  

During the first year of research the project participants placed radio transmitters on 13 flycatcher fledglings to allow for study of their habitat use and mortality. The KBC grant will provide a professional grade GPS receiver which is not only critical to improving data collection for this second year of field work, but will also greatly assist with other avian conservation research at the lab. 

 

TOM LEPAGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND ESTABLISHED

At the November 2008 KBC pre-meeting, members shared remembrances of the birding experiences they had with Tom LePage. All who attended  wanted the club to do something that would keep the memory of Tom’s name going forward. The members decided to name the KBC Scholarship Fund in his honor.  Along with this remembrance, KBC member, Sheldon Lewin asked that a past donation of $3000 made to the club in his name be directed to this fund.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in the memory of Tom LePage, be sure to indicate that your gift be directed to the Tom LePage Scholarship Fund.

KBC DESIGNS and SELLS 2009 MONTHLY CALENDAR

The Kirtland Bird Club has once again produced a monthly calendar from member photos.  The cost is $15.00 and you can purchase a calendar at a monthly meeting or by calling  440 461-1084.

BRET MCCARTY RECEIVES A SCHOLARSHIP FROM THE KIRTLAND BIRD CLUB, JUNE 4, 2008
In behalf of the Kirtland Bird Club, President Lisa Chapman, awarded Bret $200.00 to help with expenses to attend Camp Chiricahua in southeast Arizona this summer. Click here to read the announcement.

KBC ANNOUNCES THE OHIO AVIAN PROJECT INITIATIVE (OAPI) GRANT PROGRAM
Recognizing the desire of the KBC membership to increase knowledge of birds in Ohio, the Kirtland Bird Club is happy to announce the launch of an annual funding program called the “Ohio Avian Project Initiative”. This program will provide annual support of grants from $250 to $1,000 to avian research, education and conservation projects in the state of Ohio.

OHIO WINTER BIRD ATLASING
The Kirtland Bird Club has atlased some Ohio blocks that have no data recorded. On Saturday, January 12th and January 26th several orphan blocks were surveyed. Click here for the Species report.

KBC SPONSORS FIRST OYBC FIELD TRIP OF 2008
On Sunday, January 13th, once again the Kirtland Bird Club will sponsor the Ohio Young Birders Club field trip to Cleveland Lakefront State Park. This trip is organized by Paula Lozano and will be led by KBC members, Larry Rosche, Jerry Talkington and John Pogacnick.

OHIO BREEDING BIRD ATLAS II PROJECT
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Kirtland Bird Club are joining together to enter summer bird sightings into the Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas website: http://www.ohiobirds.org/obba2/ .

We meet from 5-8 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month (except November and December) in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History library, free with museum admission. Nesting Notes presentation will be at 6:30 p.m. For further information click here.

CLEVELAND BIRD CALENDAR ON-LINE
(As of 01/01/2009 we are 64.0% complete)
Providing the CBC in an on-line searchable format through a KBC website will make the 100 year collection of data available to any person anywhere in the world and in a more searchable-friendly format. The basic method of making the data searchable has already been tested and can easily be created in that format for future issues as well. This project plan has been revised to utilize volunteer efforts to OCR scan, proof and publish past issues. A budget of $6,700 has been allocated for expenses to cover tasks such as the retyping of the oldest issues and obtaining copies of missing issues. An inventory of past issues has been started. If you know of anyone with issues from the 1920's - 1950's that may wish to donate them to the project please have them contact the project chair, Delores Cole. To check the progress of this project visit: www.clevelandbirdcalendar.com.

TOM LEPAGE RECOGNIZED FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS
At the December 5, 2005 meeting Tom LePage received a letter of recognition and lifetime membership from KBC President, Lisa Chapman, for his 30+ years of contributions to the club.
Click here to read the letter.

2008 MONTHLY CALENDAR
The Kirtland Bird Club has once again produced a monthly calendar from member photos.  The cost is $15.00 and you can purchase a calendar at a monthly meeting or by calling  440 461-1084. To see what is inside click here.

KBC ORGANIZES A BIOBLITZ AT CROWN POINT FOR OYBC
Volunteers from the Kirtland Bird Club organized and held an all day BIOBLITZ at Crown Point Farm and Ecology Center on Saturday, July 7, 2007.  Members of the Ohio Young Birders Club were teamed up with biologists and field experts to learn all about the nature at this Bath, Ohio location. Over 500 species of flora and fauna were discovered and documented at this successful event. Fpr a species inventory click here.

KBC PAYS TRIBUTE TO ED PIERCE
On Wednesday, April 4, 2007 the members of the Kirtland Bird Club paid a special thank you to Ed Pierce for his sixteen years of leading KBC Van Trips, contributions to the Club and the birding community. At this meeting Ed was read a tribute by KBC member, Bill Toneff, awarded an honorary lifetime membership by President, Delores Cole, presented with a Van Trip Memory Book by Eileen Zimlich and Delores Cole, and presented with a gift check of $1400.00 by Van Trip Coordinator, Karin Tanquist, who organized this celebration.

KBC SPONSORS FIRST OYBC FIELD TRIP OF 2007
On Saturday, January 13th, the Kirtland Bird Club sponsored the Ohio Young Birders Club field trip to Cleveland Lakefront State Park. This trip was organized by Delores Cole and led by KBC member, Larry Rosche. Sixteen OYBC members and guests showed up on this overcast rainy cold day. While the  group searched Lake Erie for uncommon gulls, thousands of Red-breasted Mergansers were making a show landing and taking off. Amongst all of these red-breasteds, they found two Common Mergansers. The typical gulls were found - Herring, Ring-billed, Bonaparte's, and Great Black-backed at first, but later in the morning the special treat was finding two white-winged gulls, an Iceland and Glaucous.

2007 KIRTLAND BIRD CLUB CALENDAR

KBC designed, printed and sold a 2007 Monthly Calendar put together with bird photographs submitted by the KBC members.  This project made $325 for The Cleveland Bird Calendar publishing fund. Look for it for 2008!

BIG SIT - ERIEBIRD - October 8, 2006
Club Vice President, Lisa Chapman, has once again organized a "Big Sit" for the club. This sit was held at Sims Park, Euclid, Ohio. This project continues to support The Cleveland Bird Calendar publication fund. Over $300 was raised during this event. Thank you all for your support!
 

KBC CO-SPONSORS SPARROW SYMPOSIUM
SEPTEMBER 30, 2006
KBC along with the Ohio Ornithological Society, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Black Swamp Bird Observatory sponsored an all day Sparrow Symposium on September 30, 2006. The morning programs were held at Painesville Township Park Community Center to an audience of 230 attendees. Afternoon field trips were located along the lakefront at Geneva State Park, Arcola Creek Estuary, Headlands Beach State Park, Dike 14 and Wendy Park at Whiskey Island. More than 80 species of birds were seen including a LeConte's Sparrow. The evening portion of the event was held at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History with keynote speaker, Kenn Kaufman and behind-the-scenes tours of the museum. The evening event featured giving Jim McCarty, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer an award for his efforts in furthering Ohio birding. This event raised over $900 for the Ohio Young Birders Club.

KBC FINANCE COMMITTEE STARTED
On Tuesday, July 11, 2006, the first meeting of the newly formed KBC Finance Committee was held at the home of Mary Anne and Tom Romito. Its purpose is to review our operating budget, ex-penditures, and investments. This committee consists of the fol-lowing members; Andy Lihani, Sheldon Lewin, Claire Johnson, Mary Anne Romito, Beth Cagan, and Bob Finkelstein. The committee plans on meeting twice per year.


OHIO YOUNG BIRDERS CLUB FORMED
The Kirtland Bird Club assisted the Black Swamp Bird Observatory through member volunteer efforts and a donation,  in planning, forming and supporting this new BSBO affiliate - OYBC for young birders ages 12 t0 18 in May of 2006.


ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
The Kirtland Bird Club sent letters to Senator Dewine and Senator Voinovich in opposition to changing the language in the Endangered Species Act, which is in Senate subcommittee.

PHILIP CHAON RECEIVES A SCHOLARSHIP FROM THE KIRTLAND BIRD CLUB, JUNE 7, 2006

Philip Chaon, one of Kirtl-and Bird Club's young bird-ers, demonstrated tenacity in his efforts towards the study of birds and bugs to receive a check for $200.00 to off set his ex-penses to attend The Ame-rican Birding Association's Conference for Young Bir-ders this summer. Click Here to read the letter.

ETHAN KISTLER IS ACCEPTED ON ABA/LEICA TROPICBIRDS TEAM, MAY 13, 2006

At the May 3, 2006 KBC meeting, Recording Secretary, Tom Romito presented, KBC Young Birder, Ethan Kistler, with a  letter OF commenda-tion and a check for $200.00 to off set his traveling expenses. Click Here to read the letter.

BIRDER'S CALLING CARDS
It is important when birding, that we make businesses  aware of who is using their services, or buying lodging or meals. The club has produced "Birder's Calling Cards" to be left behind at busi-nesses when we are out birding. They can be picked up at any monthly meeting.

YOUNG BIRDER FIELD TRIPS
In December of 2005, the club scheduled two gulling trips along the Lake Erie shoreline for the young birders in the club.  Larry Rosche led the young members on a field trip, December 28, 2005. A second local trip was scheduled for January 14, 2006 but was deferred for a trip to Wheatley Harbor, Ontario Canada to search out an Ivory Gull that had been reported. The Ivory Gull was never seen that day by anyone, but the young birders had a wonderful time.
 

PAULA LOZANO RECOGNIZED
At the Wednesday, November 2, 2005 KBC meeting,  Paula Lozano was awarded a certificate of appreciation and gift from the Kirtland Bird Club for her: "Inspiring young birders to become
the next generation of conservationists." Click Here for photos.
 

CLEVELAND BIRD CALENDAR ON LINE
Completed converting into PDFs approximately 20% of the issues and published them at: www.ClevelandBirdCalendar.com.

BIG SIT - ERIEBIRD - October 9, 2005
Club Vice President, Lisa Chapman, has registered a "Big Sit" site with Bird Watcher’s Digest in Euclid called Eriebird.  This project was initiated to raise money to to support The Cleveland Bird Calendar publication fund. $300,00 was raised. Thank you all for your support.

KIRTLAND BIRD CLUB IS AWARDED
THE EIRIK A. T. BLOM AWARD FROM
BIRD WATCHER'S DIGEST
April 29, 2005

The purpose of the Blom Award is to support the communications mission of a deserving bird organization. An organization is chosen annually from the pool of applicants and the award funds arc earmarked to support that organization's communications with members and the public at large. The 2005 Blom Award is presented to the Kirtland Bird Club to support its ongoing publication of the Cleveland Bird Calendar project. The 2005 Blom Award carries with it a grant of $250.00. Click Here for the award letter.
 

NEW EDITOR FOR THE CLEVELAND BIRD CALENDAR
After Larry Rosche retired as editor after 16 years, the KBC board asked Kevin Metcalf to take on the editorship of the Calendar for it's 101st year. We are thankful that Kevin accepted this enormous task. His team consists of Fred Dinkelbach, Ray Hanikmann, and Larry Rosche as Editorial Consultants, Clyde Witt as Copy Editor, Susan Jones Design Director, and Julie West and Linda Gilbert as Technical Data Editors.


DONATION CHALLENGE FOR THE MEDINA RAPTOR CENTER
Mike and Barb Kaplan were quite moved by our article in the Fall issue of The Cleveland Bird Calendar about the Medina Raptor Center's owl rescue. They proposed a donation challenge for the club.  At the June meeting Barb Kaplan presented a donation check of $1446.00 to Laura Jordan. Thanks to everyone who made this donation possible.
 

BIRDS OF THE CLEVELAND REGION Book
This A. B. Williams book was published in June of 1950. Through the generous donation challenge of $15,000, Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon MacLeod made it possible, through the editorship of Larry Rosche and hundreds of member volunteer hours, to update this book with the last 50 years of data. The book is now on sale and can be purchased at a monthly KBC meeting. Click Here to see photos from the celebration meeting where Larry Rosche was honored for his 16 years as Editor of The Cleveland Bird Calendar and his efforts as Editor of the new book.


SYMPOSIUM ON THE GULLS OF LAKE ERIE
The Kirtland Bird Club and the Ohio Ornithological Society joined forces to plan a one day seminar held on Saturday January 8, 2005. One hundred and twenty-five birders participated in this event held at the Rocky River Nature Center and at the Cleveland Lakefront Park.
 

A FIELD BOOK OF THE BIRDS OF THE CLEVELAND REGION REVISED
The "Birds of Cleveland" by A. B. Williams, published in 1950, described the occurrence and vagrancy of birds in the seven-county region around Cleveland. "A Field Book of Birds of the Cleveland Region", edited and up-dated by Rosche in 1988, shows with bar graphs the timing of occurrence of birds in the region. Fifty years later in a new millennium, these works require being up-dated to reflect the new data that have been collected through the diligent birding and record keeping of the area's birders. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon MacLeod and other generous KBC members this project was financially possible. As with the original publications, much of the data used will be gleaned from sightings and field reports that have appeared in the Cleveland Bird Calendar and from members of the KBC, but this time presented in one combined format. Locations for popular birding spots will also be reviewed. This book was co-published by KBC and the CMNH.

SPONSOR BIRDING CAMPS
This project would set aside $2000 for use over the next several years to provide sponsorships of deserving persons to attend birding camps/classes.

DONATION TO SHAKER LAKES
The committee recommends a donation of $500 to the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes for the purchase of bird friendly trees and planting.

PUBLISH CLEVELAND BIRD CALENDAR
WITH A 4- COLOR COVER
To celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the Cleveland Bird Calendar, the Funds Committee recommends publishing the 2004 four quarterly CBC issues with a color cover.

SUPPORT THE WINTERING BIRD STUDY
AT THE LAMUCUY BIRD OBSERVATORY
This proposal is to give $1500 to La Mucuy Bird Observatory in Merida, Venezuela for ongoing research on neotropical migrants.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO YOUNG BIRDERS
In the spring of 2003 the membership voted to give grants to student members Ted Gilliland and Ben Winger. Ted's award went towards defraying the costs involved with his summer in Madagascar as a member of a research team from Duke University studying the fossa. Click Here Ben used his gift to attend the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival in Homer, Alaska, where he was an invited speaker in memory of Tim Schantz. Both young birders were most appreciative of the Kirtland Bird Club's support!